Choosing A Secure VPN – An Overview

A Virtual private network, or better known more simply as a VPN, is an extra security measure which is added to both public and private Internet and Wi-Fi networks. A corporation will use a VPN to keep their sensitive information safe from would-be hackers. Today, however, more people are using VPN for personal reasons; primarily because they like the increased privacy of having their initial IP address replaced with a “ghosted” IP address supplied by the VPN provider. For example, you might reside in Albany, New York, but the Virtual private network will allow access from a gateway in Washington D.C. or San Francisco. In addition to lending privacy to Wi-Fi and Internet network, it also allows the user to work around any kind of geo-blocks or censorships that disallow certain countries access to censored online materials.

What is this VPN Software Anyway?

A Virtual Private Network is not at all unlike the firewall that protects your personal computer or laptop, whereas the Virtual private network protects your information while you are surfing the Web. The secure VPN relies and secure tunneling techniques and encryption protocols to protect your personal information as it transfers online. With the continuous evolution of online security threats more computer users are dependent upon Virtual private network software to add to their existing security systems comprised of firewalls and antivirus protection. Choosing the right plan is important. There are myriad features to consider when searching for a secure VPN to protect your personal information and network.

Why You Need a VPN

When you are online, there are different entities that monitor your information because the information is valuable to them. This is particularly true of businesses trying to discover your dislikes and likes to enhance their marketing methods. Of course, then there are hackers who want to steal your identity. Security is clearly necessary today with things like Firesheep, a plug-in with automated features allowing for hijacking to occur, and Wi-Fi spoofing being just two of the many to compromise private information.

Choosing the Ideal VPN – Free or Fee-based?

You will want to compare the free networks with the paid for options to see which one will benefit you the most. It’s a good idea to try out a few of the free networks just so you can get a sense of how the Virtual private network works. You will find that the free network protection software programs are typically slower than the paid versions and they offer fewer protections. This is because the free programs are really meant to be more of a demo to give you a taste of what the paid programs can do. To get the best protection you should get a fee-based program but you’ll typically find these programs reasonably priced.

Choosing a VPN – Other Considerations

Make sure that the Virtual private network software you choose is easy to navigate and understand. Compare annual and monthly plans in terms of pricing like Express VPN is offering, but do not let cost be the only deciding factor in the all-important decision of choosing a VPN network. Additional considerations when looking for a VPN network include bandwidth limits, if any, and system compatibility requirements.

Guarantees and Other Issues of Good Faith

With a VPN, you’ll want one that has a product guarantee to secure your buying confidence. The ideal type of guarantee to look for is the ability to get your money back if you are not quite satisfied with the product, while others might guarantee a price reduction or a special price for bundling features like additional user licenses.

If the company offers a trial of the Virtual private network software, certainly take full advantage of its use. Take note if the company is offering you a statement like their service offers 100% protection all the time: Be wary, because no Virtual private network is perfect. Finally, carefully read the fine print to ensure that there were no contradictory statements or clauses about your privacy.